Exclusive: Everton Legend Adrian Heath Backing "Gamble" on Roberto Martinez

Everton legend Adrian Heath believes the appointment of Roberto Martinez represents a "gamble."

But the former Goodison Park striker is confident the 39-year-old can be a success at the Merseyside club if he can get off to a good start next season.

Martinez has signed a four-year deal with Everton to replace David Moyes, who has joined Manchester United to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes spent 11 years at Goodison Park and kept the team consistently in the top half of the Premier League, including a place in the Champions League in 2005, despite financial constraints at the club.

Martinez arrives at Everton after winning the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic, but the club was also relegated to the Championship after an eight-year stay in the top flight.

The Spaniard has vowed to Everton chairman Bill Kenwright that he will take the team into the Champions League again, as Sky Sports reported.

Heath, who is now head coach at Orlando City, insists Martinez must come to terms with the demands of managing "one of the best football clubs in the world" quickly to prove himself as a success at Goodison Park.

But Heath, who became Everton's record signing when he joined the club from Stoke City for £700,000 in January 1982, as recorded by the official Everton website, is optimistic that Martinez can be a successful manager for the Blues if he can get the fans behind him with a good start to his Goodison career.

Heath told Bleacher Report: "I think it's a bit of a gamble, he has shown that his teams can play good football, but, don't forget, they got relegated.

"I think he needs a good start first and foremost. Managing Everton is not like managing Wigan. Two or three bad results and that's the beginning of a crisis, where, at Wigan, he lost games heavily and there was no real pressure.

"He will need to inject some youth into the side and try and keep his best players.  

"If he can start well and introduce a new system, get the players and supporters on side, I think he can be a success.

"I, like all Evertonians, wish him nothing but the best. He doesn't realize it yet, but he has just joined one of the best football clubs in the world."